A little exploration of the city of Bangor, Maine.
Bangor, Maine, is the largest city within a couple hours drive of where I am currently living. I had to make the trip in for an appointment in the morning, so decided to explore the city while I was there.
The first settlement in this area by Europeans dates to 1769. Bangor was incorporated as a town in 1791, but it didn’t really start growing in size until the lumber era began in the mid-1800s. By 1860, Bangor was the world’s largest lumber port, with 150 sawmills running along the Penobscot River. This era has left an enduring mark on the city. Lumber barons ruled and built elaborate Greek Revival and Victorian houses that grace the city.
I wandered around the downtown area and the Whitney Park Historic District for a while and then I stumbled upon the tomb of one of Bangor, Maine’s famous residents.
The Thomas A. Hill House is the current home to the Bangor Historical Society. The house was originally designed by one of my favorite architects, Richard Upjohn. He is mostly famous for designing Trinity Church in Manhattan.
Down the street from the Thomas A. Hill House is the lovely Union Street Brick Church. I love the steeple.
Heading into the charming downtown area of Bangor.
Much of the downtown consists of buildings dating from the mid-1800s until the early 1900s, all in pretty good shape.
One of Bangor, Maine’s most forgotten about but still famous resident, the 15th Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin. He served as Abraham Lincoln’s first vice-president, replaced by Andrew Johnson.
Located in the same park, Bangor, Maine’s most famous resident painted onto a city bench, the great novelist Stephen King.
I next headed into the Whitney Park Historic District where I found many Victorian homes like this one.
And I also found Stephen King’s 1858 mansion. I had no idea this was his house until I saw it on Bangor’s Wikipedia page when I went to write this post. I just thought it looked cool.
A trip to Bangor wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one cemetery. The Bangor Historical Society suggested visiting this one, so I did. Mount Hope Cemetery is the second oldest garden cemetery in the country, founded in 1834. It was modeled after the first garden cemetery, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts. Mt. Hope is also where Stephen King’s Pet Sematary was filmed.
The tomb of Hannibal Hamlin. Not only was he a vice-president, but he also served as governor of Maine, Congressman, and a US Senator.
Closeup of his tombstone.
Mt. Hope also has the first Civil War memorial, constructed in 1864, even before the war was finished.
Cuteness overload.
Check out my next update where I explore Acadia National Park’s Ocean Path!
That bench is fantastic!